Barrow Hill The Dark Path 13: Hmmmmm.

OK, now I know I've missed something.

I have done everything. Read all the books again, checked every node (clearly I've missed one somewhere). Tried to combine inventory items. Checked under the car and all around it after I did something unexpected to it. 

Played the hidden object game again and this time it said I had won, but still, it won't budge beyond this screen:

But what is the prize?

Even after clearing all the objects and getting this screen, you can't get that screen off and something continues to bash on the door from the inside but never comes out.

So what was that for?

I did manage to get some more images from the magic hole. I thought that perhaps the word "Bygones" might have something to do with the runes, as one of them looks like a "B" and one a "y," but it's a bit difficult to assign the other runes to letters.

However, by just playing with them fairly systematically I managed to get a bunch of images. I have an old man, a hunter, an eye, a bird, a child, what might be a woman:

She has breasts and might be giving birth—yes? No?

But other than putting them in some kind of order perhaps from birth to old age—I don't yet know what these mean.

I tried to watch the video feed in the garage and got what I think is another glitch, but I doubt too many people have found this one:

Should we be able to see through the screen?

No, I doubt we should be able to see through the screen. But at least the video feed worked. Perhaps I should try the video in other places, such as the quoit?

So, I have not yet solved my stuckness. This means I've missed something. Nothing to do but go back over every single node in the game.  I refuse to look at the PDF. 

Hmmmmmmm.

Next Entry

Barrow Hill The Dark Path 12: What Happens Next?

I wish I could answer that question. I am well and truly stuck.

I have visited every node in the game that I can find, and I have found nothing new (except one thing—more of which later). I have gone through the garage and the kitchen and the dining room and the waiting room and even the phone booth and found nothing new whatever. I have searched every single place I can find in the woods.

Where I stand: I have found Ollie, and he is in a strange and immobile state. Nothing more to do with him for the time being.

I did see Baibin again a couple of times, and managed to get a screenshot of one of those sightings:

Baibin?

I have got Ben's video feed going, but it only shows pre-recorded stuff that I've seen many times before. It is supposed to show you what Mia is doing live, but it's all repeats that appear to be random.

I listened to the recordings on the phone, including The Dark Path recording, but that told me nothing. I'm thinking that ought to tell me something, because the recording is mentioned on one of the computer websites, but I can't figure what it might be.

I have the computer password and have done everything on that except win the hidden object game. Will try that again tomorrow.

I have re-read all the books there are to read (except the Dark Path), and thought I found a clue in Aggie's diary, to go fishing in the Druid pool. I happen to have an object that would fit that description but it doesn't work in the pool.

I will say that the crystal key at the Druid Pool still works where it's supposed to work, but I found the item that yields long ago. It doesn't yield any more stuff no matter where and how I use it.

However, I now know the item that the pool wants, because I found a clue for it. I do not yet have that item, however.

I have tried to make a pentagram the way I made the other effigies, but you can't make one of those in that place.

I decided that I had to disrupt Mia somehow so that I could get into the farm and thought of a way I might do that, but you cannot access your inventory items when you enter that room, nor can you carry one with you and then go in.

What I DID find, although I have no idea what any of it means:

I went back to the magic hole in the quoit. Now, I already solved the sound puzzle that gets you into the farm, so I don't need those clues again. However, the other day I managed to get a different image in the hole of what looked like a sitting child:

Who is this and what is he doing?

By messing around with the runes I finally managed to get another image I hadn't seen before. Then I got this one again. And I got a third one. 

Now, this is coming from me placing the runes randomly. I shouldn't be able to do this: there ought to be a clue somewhere for it that I haven't found yet. And of course I have no idea what it all might mean. There's no doubt that it does mean something. Matt would not have put these images in the game for nothing. Can I find more of them with the runes? If so, will they begin to make any sense?

I also haven't found any fruit drink packets. Or anything made of tin or gold that I know of. Or that item for the Druid Pool.

I know there's going to be a site somewhere that will require me to place metal objects. Probably there will be something that needs fruit juices—or perhaps just the colors of the packets (earth, fire, water, spirit air—I do know the order they're supposed to go in, and that isn't it, btw). But there's been nothing even resembling any kind of puzzle for that yet.

So tomorrow I will re-read The Dark Path again to see if that gives me any ideas. I will continue to mess with the runes and see if I can get any more new images. I will try once again to solve the hidden object game on the computer. I think I'll also see if I can combine any inventory items. I don't think you can, but I'll try. I also managed to do something to the car in the garage that I haven't done before, so I'd better go back and investigate that.

And I'm going to go over all my notes again. 

But other than that I am well and truly stuck.

What happens next??

Next Entry

Barrow Hill The Dark Path 11: Some Relief!

OK! I have at least uncovered more clues and finally solved the magic hole puzzle. 

I went back to the computer in the quoit, and found whole areas that I had not explored. In one of them there was an ad for some packets of flavored drinks—and there's also a commercial for that product on BHR radio. If you click on everything you will find a page that reveals the different flavors of the packets—each seems to have two.  Now, I know enough about clues to know that this is an important clue for later, rather like the cans of fruit juice were in the original game.

I also learned what is probably the identy of "WW." I was pretty sure I already knew, but the computer pretty much confirmed it. Also, there was a mention of Bracken Tor, the next game in the series.

And there was some footage and a few pics from the original game. Nicely placed.

However, except for the fruit drink clue, I didn't learn anything that I didn't already know.

I still couldn't finish the hidden object game. Could never find a doll.

I also finally solved the magic hole puzzle! Yes, the paper I found does have the clue. I just had to figure out how to follow the clue. Oddly, I think I had solved this puzzle much earlier just by pure chance—it's the order of items that gets us through to the Farm. I did find one other animal, however: 

Is this a turtle? Or just a shape?

Upon perusal, I think this isn't a turtle after all. It's just the shape of the puzzle parts so you'll recognize it. Well, it was nice to relieve the frustration from my last two nights, but I've already used this information.

I'm not sure if I have anything in my inventory made of tin, unless it's the trowel. I doubt that though. So I need to find something made of tin.

I also delved more deeply into the mobile phone. I read all the message threads. The only thing new was the map with some location points that I was able to zoom in on. These were the farm and the quoit, but also Emma Harry's trailer. I tried to see if a path might have opened up to that, but so far, nope.

OK. So. I have good clues for later on. I have relieved my puzzle frustration. I have the video feed going. 

I don't have anything made of tin or of gold. I don't have the eighth sim card. I don't have a possession of Mia's (why can't I use her shoe anyway??). I haven't yet found (or perhaps made) the object that is supposed to go into the pool.

Well, all of this will converge at the end if it's anything like the original game. My task now is just to keep on stumbling around, go visit all the game areas again and keep looking for stuff.

I will find something.

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Barrow Hill The Dark Path 10: Progress, but Now What?

Well I have made serious progress but am now completely stuck.

I figured out how to get Ben's video feed working. Found the correct transmitter (really easy to find, actually) and his directions were all we need to figure it out, plus a bit of twiddling. That gives me a video of, supposedly, Mia, live. I had hoped it would mean she wouldn't approach me when I entered the farmhouse, but nope, not yet.

But that was a real achievement, I thought. These nice achievements make me feel good temporarily, but they're not doing anything for me.

Also, I have read more about what's going on through the Barrow Hill Radio site on the computer. However, that didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. One thing was a bit frustrating: the radio site has a hidden object game. Easy to solve, except that you don't get the reward when you solve it. Emma (or somebody) is trying to get out of the trailer door, but there's nothing to be done about that. Foo.

The BHR Radio Website

I have determined that I'm still missing one sim card, but haven't stumbled onto it yet. I did manage to navigate my way through the woods better tonight. There's an object that the Druid Pool wants, but I don't have it yet. I suspect that will be some type of jewelry.

I have items of iron, copper, and lead. I still need tin (do I have anything made of tin? Must check) and gold. One of the recordings says we can find gold easily—just take it from Mum's dresser. Sadly, her dresser is not available to me. If I can ever get fully into the farmhouse I might find something there.

But the major frustration is that rune puzzle at the magic hole. Why did I not continue the other night when I accidentally got a second image?? I can't get it back again after multiple attempts. I went back to the original paper with the clue for that an copied it down more precisely, but it's absolutely no help at all.

Runes Puzzle Clue Sheet. Not a spoiler. It won't help you either.

Update: Ahem. Yes, that paper above is a perfectly good clue. It's just that I had already solved that puzzle on my own.

So I got into the computer and got the video feed going, but those achievements have not kicked me forward at all. I even found Ollie, but that yielded no progress either. I found the farmhouse, but can't do anything there.

And what is this bag for? We got a comb with hair in it from this area (which I suspect might not be Mia's) but we can't pick up her shoe (size 5) and what is this bag for? We also get to look at a receipt from this store:

Is this a clue? To what?

On the bright side—I have been haunted a couple of times by a ghost like figure that I suspect is Baibin herself. I am going to hope that isn't random. I saw something out the round window from the door inside the dining room, and she's appeared briefly twice in the woods. Does that mean that I am making progress?

So I know that I need objects of gold and of tin, another sim card, probably another ID card for Ben, and a personal object from Mia to put on her wishing stone. Also, there is part of a page from the Dark Path book (which is now in my inventory) that tells you how to reverse a wish, but it's torn out. No doubt I'll find that somewhere.

But what to do now? I have no freaking idea. I guess I'll just have to keep stumbling around. Go back to places—sometimes things change as happened in the office with the CCTV feed. 

Either that, so somebody better call me on the phone sometime soon!

I'm finding it frustrating to solve two big puzzles, but make no progress.

Till tomorrow, I guess. Something will happen. (I am NOT going to get any clues for this game. I solved the original game without a clue, and I'm going to do the same with this one!!)

Next Entry.

Barrow Hill The Dark Path 9: FINALLY!!

Oh my! So after stumbling around and making absolutely no progress at all except for finding a horseshoe, in frustration I decided I'd have to give up for the night until—I FOUND THE COMPUTER PASSWORD!!

Finally!! 

So here is the computer, and the screen that faces us until we become clever:

"The event that started it all"

So we're looking for the event that started it all, and we have four digits. Also, the computer itself has some words to the wise about passwords. So I'm pretty sure I'm looking for a four-character combo of letters and numbers.

I will give one cryptic hint: the hint might just have a double meaning.

Anyway, I found it. And the thing is more straightforward than it looks. Don't try to interpret. I tried a buncha stuff until I just finally looked at it and asked, "what are those characters?" 

So. I got in. 

I have read the emails, the stuff on Emma Harry's site, and I have watch all of the SIM cards that I have. I have a feeling that I'm missing one. I've got seven and there appears to be a slot for an eighth. I have a feeling that eighth one will give me a major clue.

However: frustration continues on the runes puzzle. Here is what I'm calling the magic hole:

Ah yes, it tells us things!

Now this thing has already given me a major clue that I used to great and good effect. But apparently it has more to say. I've got the runes. I've put them on the rock circle in front of the magic hole. I've also got clues from a sheet of paper that appears to tell me how to place them. 

OK, so I've placed them. But everything I do yields only one response from the hole:

Comes with a nice sound effect

Somehow last night when I was just messing around with this I got a second image: what looked like a child sitting at a desk, if I remember it correctly. 

Now, I did something to cause that. I don't know what it was. I have tried everything quite systematically, putting each rune into what appears to be every starting spot, and all I can get is the above image. No doubt it has something to do with the order in which you place the runes, but I can't find the starting point. Each time the runes go back to where they started.

I just haven't tricked out this puzzle yet. I know it's going to give me interesting images, but I can't figure out how. The paper I found does not seem to be enough of a clue. 

I also haven't been able to make sense of Gus's video instructions, but now that I have the computer maybe I can figure it out. I went back and got the item I'd placed for him on the wishing stones, because it looks like it's part of his diagram. Somehow that hooks up to something. However, the communications tower doesn't appear to be able to do anything, and the other source of power in the garage won't let me access it.

Well, at least I've made real progress! Still no idea what to do tomorrow night, but something's gotta give pretty soon now!

I wonder where that last sim card might be??

Next Entry

Barrow Hill The Dark Path 8: Oh MY!!

Well that was a bit of a shock! Stuff has happened! I have met actual people (one of whom is not doing well).

To start: OK. I stumbled around. I went back to the wishing stones and checked to see if I could move the effigies around, and I can. However, I'm really sure I have the right effigies on the right stones. I have found two personal items, but not the right one for Mia, it seems.

Then I really couldn't figure out what to do. So I continued to stumble around, and I stumbled back into the wrecked office. The video feed is now down. I managed to call Goshawk Security and enter the proper error code to get the video working again.

And oh my! That got me in touch with Ollie. I was able to guide Ollie out to what I thought was the the garage, but something happened to him. Oh, he's there, and he isn't dead, and I got his ID card (now I have Mia's and his) and I even got a glimpse of Gus through the fence. He sent me to the phone booth, where I found a cryptic way of getting another video feed going.

Call. They will help!

It seems that red cable that snakes along through the woods and into the farmhouse belongs to Gus. OK. So where is the radio station? (Doesn't seem that we can go there in this game.)

This is all certainly a departure from the original game! Actual characters who talk to you in person and not just on the phone!

But after all that excitement, I still have not discerned the password. I know that it's "where it all started." I found the drawing in the station lobby of the stone circle that says "it started here." But neither "here," nor "hill" nor any other combination that goes beyond four letters works. 

At least I did guess one thing correctly: Gus says that the sim cards indeed do work in Mia's computer. I figure the password has to be in this game. Matt couldn't expect new players to know things about the old game. Ergo, the password is not going to be "heelstone" or "Sentry Stone" or the names of any of the old standing stones. 

I rather guess, however, that we're not supposed to have found the password yet. Gus keeps saying to look at the sim cards, so the game knows we haven't got the password yet.

Well, Matt did say in our FB Messinger conversation that I would be meeting Ollie. OK, yeppers, I have met Ollie!

OK. I think my next task tomorrow night is going to be to try to follow Gus's directions. Go out to the farmhouse again and hope that I can get actually into it this time. 

Another frustrating thing: I have runestones, I have a diagram of how they're supposed to go in the rock circle that is underneath the magical hole in the quoit. I have managed to get two pictures forming in the magic hole, but I can't access the second one again. So I don't know yet what the trick is to that puzzle. 

So I have two lines of attack: the Farmhouse and the magic circle in the quoit. 

Tomorrow!

Next Entry

Barrow Hill The Dark Path 7: Ah HA!!

Yes! I was right about several things!!

It's been awhile, but I was super busy with Kirkus books and could not get to the game. It turned out that:

1. I had not missed a book in the garage. I found the book, just didn't peruse it carefully enough. I did get a clue or two from it.

2. I found the plug diagram. No, you can't zoom in on it but you can see what it says. With that I finally wired the plug (whew). There are more than those six possibilities. But with the diagram you can't go wrong. 

3. I figured out by just trying my inventory items what ought to go into the microwave, and I zapped it. That gives a cryptic clue.

4. I was right about how to make the effigies. I also appear to be right about which effigy goes with which kid (although I didn't try them in any other order, so I probably ought to do that just to be sure.) So those are placed where they are supposed to go.

5. Wow! I was right about the sound puzzle at the farm site, and I got through to the house!

But can we get in? And what will we find inside?

Something indeed happened to me there, but I appear to have been released from that experience. It placed me in a site I was looking for anyway. 

OK. I do not know what to do from here, but hey! This is real progress! I solved three major puzzles and have advanced to a new area in the game! Now if only I could get into the gas station/motel area. I bet we can somehow, but I'm not there yet!

I also found a seventh sim card, but I still don't have the computer password. So far I have found no way to view the sim cards, and I'm betting that the computer is the device for that. I got a nice warning on the radio in the kitchen that "she" is coming for them in the service station. So, hopefully I'll get there eventually.

I guess the only thing to do is to stumble around for a bit more. The farm seems to deserve more exploration—and I did (ahem) meet a person there, perhaps in person?? That is a new development for Barrow Hill. Before, we only met other characters (well, Emma Harry) on the phone.

It will be fun to go back when I finish the game and watch that YouTube playthrough, but I don't want to get any more clues from it. I will solve this myself, darn it!

Till next time! Mystified!

Next Entry

Barrow Hill The Dark Path 6: Hiatus, with Plans

Well things got a bit busy here and I haven't been able to get to the game for a few days, but I have been pondering upon it. I found a YouTube playthrough that had been started, and watched the first few episodes because it was only going over stuff I had already done, however, I did get a few tidbits from it.

I missed using the hand wipes. Gotta go back and do those places. Also, and this is kind of important: that diagram on the garage wall that I couldn't read apparently now is legible after Matt made some updates to the game, and it depicts how to wire a plug!! 

Update: No, I don't think Matt changed the diagram. I did, however, get new glasses!

So clearly, I have to go back there!

Also, I know that I'm going to have to make wooden effigies for all three kids, and I kinda suspect I know how I might be able to do that. Must try that new idea too. I'm pretty sure I figured out which effigy goes with which kid (unless I'm wrong).

Plus, I got an idea from the YouTube videos that ought to work on the wishing stones. I have three personal items from all three kids. 

And, I've got a sneaky hunch that I might be able to figure out that sound puzzle at the farm site. I'd really like to get beyond those trees that are blocking the path. It's pretty obvious that we're going to get through there eventually. I think it's tied into those animals I found in the cairn. I'm pretty sure I found the order they ought to go in.

And one thing I learned from the videos that I have to do first thing: I missed reading a whole book in the garage!! How did I do that?? So, task one when I get the game open again is to toddle on back to the garage and read that book! Clues! Clues!

Next Entry

Barrow Hill The Dark Path 5: In the Kitchen

Have been busy busy with watching important politics and interacting with my guests, so I haven't had the chance to play for a few days. Only did a token amount tonight: trying to solve the plug puzzle in the kitchen.

The plug puzzle just might be some kind of dragon. There are only three wires, giving only six possible arrangements of the wires, see:

There are only six possible ways to do this

None, not one, of those six possible permutations works. I listed all the possibilities and did them systematically.

OK. That means that there's something else I have to do before I do this puzzle. Matt hasn't uploaded any more updates in the three days since I left the game, so I'm going to assume this is the final version, for now. Everything ought to work. So, I'm just going to have to leave this puzzle and wait until I find something else.

However, when I click on the microwave, there is no icon at all. So, I'll just have to wait to find out what's going on with this thing,

The plug goes to the microwave, doesn't it?

When I returned to the game, the loud water sound was still there, even standing by the phone booth. It was everywhere, just as it was when I left the game last time. However, once I went into the kitchen and emerged again, the sound was gone. So, at least one glitch remains to be fixed!

I have absolutely no idea what to do next, so I'll just go back into the woods and start stumbling around again. I seem to find something to do each time, and eventually it's going to start coming together. Of course, I'd like to find my way into the motel rooms, but it's possible that we're just not meant to go there in this game. 

Till next time, when maybe I'll gain some new insight!

Next Entry

Barrow Hill The Dark Path 4: The Spring is Flowing!

I'm still stumbling around trying to find stuff to do, but I have indeed found stuff to do! Mainly I've turned on the Druid Spring! The Pool wants an object. I think I know what the object is because of a game glitch the first time I played (the weathervane turned into a cup), but I don't have it yet. Now the weathervane does not turn into a cup. I will have to make the cup out of the weathervane, somehow, I bet.

I have found the necessary "wire" that fits into the plug puzzle by the microwave. It wasn't a wire at all—it was something else I had already found. However, after successfully using that item, I have still been unable to solve the plug puzzle. I mean, it only gives three possibilities and I have tried every permutation (unless I haven't—maybe I should try again tomorrow and make notes to be sure). Maybe it doesn't turn on the microwave?? But the wire goes right into the microwave and there does not appear to be another possibility. I have another plug in my inventory—why do I have that?

I found out something about the stump in the woods but I can't make anything of it. I will insert the resulting picture here:

Is this a puzzle?

Having produced that arrangement of sticks, I cannot find that pattern in any of the books I've found. Plus, it doesn't do anything at all. Probably will do something later in the game though!

Found another thing at the picnic area too But it wasn't the computer password. (And neither is "hill" or "farm," folks. Sorry.)

Also, while wandering in the woods I began to hear a loud noise of machinery. There is a distressing sound coming from the communications tower but I can't do anything with it. That might be the machinery sound, but I'm not sure. 

I played with the radio in the garage and found something interesting. What it is, though, I have no idea. Yet.

After solving the puzzle to get the Druid Pool flowing again, I'm now hearing loudly running water. I'm hearing it everywhere, even out in the road in front of the building. That puzzle was tough. I finally just bulldogged my way through it and somehow it worked!

I delved further into the phone and found a text message I hadn't seen before, but I think that's been available from the beginning. 

I would like to know what that machinery noise is, and I'd like to find whatever I need to put into the Druid Pool. The water noise is nice, but it's everywhere!

I got another big clue last night that I forgot to mention. I randomly tried the runestones in a certain place and got what appears to be a major clue about animals. So that's something.

But I left tonight having saved at the phone booth, wondering what the water sound means. Clearly I'm progressing in the game, but I still can't get to the motel rooms. I've gotta solve that microwave plug puzzle, somehow.

I will say, though, that despite my confusion about what to do, just by wandering around in this game you find new things, new items and new puzzles to solve. So it remains constantly interesting! Eventually all those puzzles and things will start to make sense.

I'd still like to get into those motel rooms though!!

Next Entry

Barrow Hill The Dark Path 3: Deeper into the Woods

So far I have not found cats in the Barrow Hill woods, but not for want of traveling through them. The map does help, but it's still pretty easy to get turned around and keep finding the picnic site when you're looking for the druid pool.

Nevertheless, I did find not only the picnic site, but I got Olly's glasses. I also found the druid pool and got the key to the pool. Not sure what to do with that yet. I thought I could "charge" the crystal in the brass grate just above where you find the crystal, but now, that area wants a different inventory item. Yet, the crystal worked, and I found the key. Then all I did was click on the pool and the debris floating in it disappeared. Dunno what that's supposed to do. Yet.

A clean Druid pool. But what does it do?

I also took abundant notes and learned that we will need to know which wooden effigies go with the three kids. I'm pretty sure I've figured that out, assuming that the almost-hidden symbol on the computer is Mia's. (I mean, that is Mia's computer. Stands to reason she's the one in the middle of the desktop photo.) In another area you see Gus's symbol, leaving Olly's to the process of elimination. But I haven't found any actual effigies yet, or a way to construct them, or the opportunity to put them somewhere, although I'm fairly certain they'll go on the three large rock formations, along with a correct metal object, and I'm pretty sure I know which one is Mia's.

That candle puzzle that I thought I'd solved I had not solved. I missed one of the candles. However, once you do solve it, you do indeed find a sim card, as Matt told me in our FB messenger conversation. Once I spotted the last candle, the puzzle worked perfectly, leaving you with this: 

And you get a sim card too

I played again for a long time last night and got so absorbed in the game that I again forgot to take screen shots. So I went back to the game, and by that time Matt had added more updates. Once those loaded I was able to get the car keys (and the crystal key for the pool)! And wow, what a treasure trove of information those car keys reveal! I took abundant notes, as I did in the cairn with the computer. Lotsa notes, dunno what to do with them yet! But I have them! Knowledge!

Get the keys!

I confess that I'm at a bit of a loss about what to do next. I have all this information, but I haven't yet encountered any clue about what that computer password might be. I don't know how to get to the motel rooms. I don't know how to use the sim cards I've been collecting (I have six now). I haven't yet found the little wire that I need to mend the plug for the microwave in the kitchen.

So I guess that I'll just have to start wandering those dark woods again and hope to stumble onto something, or get another phone call that might lead me somewhere. 

It's nighttime here in California. Time to play the game!

Next Entry.

Barrow Hill the Dark Path 2: Aha! I'm in!

So I was right that once I turned on the lights I could get in! Actually, what I did was turn on the electricity. 

But first . . .

Instead of just stumbling around in the dark woods, I realized that Matt has given us a map. I thought that it might just be possible that he gave us that map so that we could navigate through the dark woods successfully. And yes, it works! I found the farm and a nifty sound puzzle that I will no doubt return to. I also realized that the reason I couldn't get back to the hole in the fence the first time I went behind the building was that apparently my character climbed over something and dropped into another part of the yard, so no, I couldn't retrace my steps to get out. I had to navigate through the dark woods (without the map at first) to find the communications tower and thence the hole in the gate to get back to my car. I'm using my car as a starting point for my saved games, so far.

Another nice starting point: the memorial outside the station

But once I realized that I could probably get into the building, I successfully navigated my way there and found a nice variety of inventory items, many of which are working to get me much further into the game. I got into the garage and made myself a fishing line magnet, which worked to get one item, but then I ran into another game glitch.

Glitches: First, Matt has already fixed the glitch where you couldn't get an inventory view of Gus's MP3 player, although it doesn't go into a close-up. But here is a new and obvious glitch. (1) I found the car keys in the garage and retrieved them, but they did not show up in my inventory. I was able to retrieve them again, but again, they didn't go into the inventory. So I can't use them. I know Matt is working diligently to fix the glitches! Can't wait to see what I find when I can use the keys! (2) Another glitch might be a box we find in the area outside the garage in which you move some cups and a teapot to reveal a cloth of some kind at the bottom of the box. But we can't pick it up or do anything with it. (Update: actually, I found an inventory item there, but I forgot! So, not a glitch.) (3) And, we can move some papers on the wall in the garage to reveal a diagram of something underneath, but we can't get a close-up of it. Another (4) is that I got the copper weathervane off the top of the house, but when you click on it in the inventory a copper cup appears. I betcha we're supposed to fashion that weathervane into a cup somehow. Anyway, it doesn't make sense.

So far everything else is working great. I got into the kitchen and dining room, where I found a nifty clue that no doubt will be used later. I solved a little candle puzzle where that clue was located but there was no reward (unless you're not supposed to be able to access that clue until you solve it—but I got the clue first). Another glitch? 

UPDATE: I "talked" with Matt (live!) last night via Facebook Messenger, and it turns out that this indeed is a glitch. You're supposed to get a reward for solving the candles, a round object that has appeared within some leaves is supposed to rise and give you an inventory item—but it just sits there. It will be interesting to see if he's fixed this one by tonight! He already knew about the car keys problem. Ha! I feel like a beta tester! 

UP-Update: No! It was not a glitch! I did not solve the puzzle! I missed a candle!

Note: Matt needed, yes he really did, to get this game published on the Autumn Equinox. He knew there were still glitches in the game, but he's diligently fixing them every day! When you open the game from Steam you will get updates every day!

I have a so-far unsolvable puzzle putting wires into a plug, but I think that's intended. Clearly I need to find one more wire to fit into the plug. Presumably that will get the microwave oven working so that I can either use it or find something in it.

I have found no less then five sim cards, but have no place to use them yet. Maybe somehow in the computer? But I still need to find the password for that.

Clearly there are going to be more places to go in the game. Out by the farm there is a red cable on the ground, but we can't follow it. I'm pretty sure the cable leads to where Emma Harry is with her radio station (the only place in the game that isn't following the original layout—in the original you got to Emma's trailer by entering on the other side of the road. However, if this game is like the last (and so far it's following it almost faithfully) we'll only meet her on the phone.

I cannot yet get out of the dining room/waiting area to go to the motel rooms. That bothered me a bit. The only thing blocking the door is a moveable cart. But, we can't move it. I know there's somebody in a motel room, but hey, maybe we're never meant to get into the rooms this time. We only meet other characters on the phone, and no doubt it will remain that way.

It's a moveable cart. Why can't we move it and get out the door?

What I'm really loving about this is that all the sites in the original game are still there—with plenty of items from the old game too! For example, our basket from the old game in which we gathered mushrooms is placed nicely in a  cupboard in the kitchen. The kitchen and the dining room still look the same, although wrecked. But the old items are there. It's nicely satisfying. (One of the few things I didn't like about Jonathan's Darkfall 3: Lost Souls is that the hotel did not have the same layout as in the original game. That really bothered me.)

The destroyed office with the vacuum cleaner from BH1, and a table from BH1!

This time I brought a notepad and took abundant notes! It felt good, like I was taking control. I know I've found one clue to a later puzzle. I'm navigating successfully and without frustration. I'm finding lots of great stuff. I'm getting more of the story from Emma's radio interviews and from notes I'm finding.

Again, as in the old game, I need to restore the balance by giving the spirit what she wants. Eventually I will find out what those things are! Next time I'll go back to the little grotto where there are books full of clues and take good notes on everything.

So! I am really having fun with this, despite the glitches! Matt will fix them!

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Barrow Hill The Dark Path 1: What a Fantastic Surprise!

Surprise! After ten (10) years of waiting, Matt Clark finally has released a sequel to the classic Barrow Hill (that is a link to my review of the game—yes, I reviewed it, as "Enigma" for Four Fat Chicks, back in the day)! OK, I've basically just started Avadon 3, but I only waited one year for that. 

I can't resist. My little characters in Avadon will be fine while I do this game! And it's a real adventure! (I know this going in.)

First impressions: things start just as they did in the original game, one I played far more than once over the years, although not recently, as the game was getting pretty creaky and would only run on my Dad's old Vista laptop. Ugh. Another wonderful surprise, Matt has listed the original game on Steam as well as this one! Of course I got it!

I was worried I wouldn't be able to get it to run, because I have an ancient XP program running on my Fusion Virtual Machine on my iMac. Although I'm running out of space on there, I was able to delete a few games that I have on Steam and one that I have on disc to make room for it. And it works! It plays just fine! My specs, of course, are the minimal requirements, but that doesn't seem to matter. Whew!

Now! To the game! Matt has followed the original game really well. We start with a black and white movie of our drive into the site, with Emma Harry on the BHR radio:

A bit of a spooky drive in

Again, it's the autumn equinox, so I'm wondering just why we are returning? To finish old business, apparently. 

Again we have a slideshow presentation and I really like that choice, although navigation is way more difficult in this game than in the first. It's going to take me some major time to figure how to get where I want to go. At this point I'm lucky to find anything. By just blundering about, however, I have uncovered some playing areas. Again, it's an inventory game. Good. I've found some stuff, and even managed to knock off an old weathervane from the top of a building. The artwork is just like the original game—I really like that.

We also meet the other characters, Emma and her little friend Mia, on the phone, as in the first game. And that first screen made me think there was a glitch in the game, when you exit the car and approach the motel. A sound plays over and over, and all navigation arrows disappear. Apparently the sound is a common ringtone in Britain, but not in the U.S., so I didn't realize my phone was ringing. Players, you're not going anywhere until you answer the phone. (That isn't a spoiler—it's literally the first thing you do in the game and if you don't do it you'll think your game file is corrupted.) 

Update: When I first played this it was just after Matt had released the game. He's done numerous updates on it since, and one of them is that he has changed that ring tone to one that actually sounds like a ring tone that Americans will recognize. Good fix!

Navigation: I was really sure I was stuck for good. I started out by going behind the motel through the fence, just the way we did it in the original, but I couldn't get back. Found a major node with a computer (have to find the password) and a bunch of nice inventory items. Clearly, I'll be returning to this place.

But what's the password?

After finally stumbling out through the forest, I was able to find my way back to the entrance of the motel. It had to have taken half an hour to find that node. Whew! And then I was able, with an inventory item I had acquired, to access a nice little puzzle, pretty easy actually, to turn on the lights!

So that is standard adventuring: get in the door and turn on the lights. Haven't managed to get in the door yet. Hmm. Maybe I can now that I have the lights on.

I must say that finding objects is a bit different from the first game. All you get is an arrow. Click on the arrows!

But I'm finding the navigation really frustrating, so far. I'm just going to have to get used to the clues. The pathways are not nearly as clear as in the first game. Well, the place has been abandoned for a decade, so I guess that makes sense. So far I've found the picnic area and the druid pool and the wishing stones, but I haven't managed to get to the farm. The game won't let me continue down the road past the phone booth (yet?). 

I'm guessing that I'll have to figure out all the magical items I'll need to place in various areas, as we did in the original game. So far, however, I'm just exploring and picking up whatever inventory items I find. Not trying to make any sense of it yet.

One definite glitch: I found Gus's MP3 player, but the game won't let me view it close-up from the inventory. Well, I notice that Matt has already added upgrades to the game just since I bought it, so I'm sure he'll fix that soon. I just hope I'm not missing a vital clue!

Despite the frustration with navigation, I really am making progress and finding stuff. Eventually, things will start to make sense. I saved the game just outside my car at the beginning node of the game, so I ought to be able to try to get into the motel next. If that's possible, of course. But if not, why did we turn on the lights?

To play this, I have moved my computer back out into the den, where I can play while sitting in my recliner chair! If I'm frustrated, at least I'm comfortable!

So tomorrow, I will continue! 

Oh it is just wonderful to get back to Barrow Hill! Thank you Matt!

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